Our College community enjoys welcoming student alumni back onto the Flinders campus and inviting them to get involved in school life. Sam Coward is a great supporter of and participant in our Flinders community. Not only is Sam the Vice President of the Old Flinderians’ Association, but he also injects great energy and humour into his guest appearances at the College, including his role hosting Flinders P&F trivia evenings and as MC, along with co-radio hosts, Dave and Ash, at the first Flinders Foundation Winemaker's Dinner in 2018. In 2019, Sam performed at the opening night of our Secondary School’s production of Little Shop of Horrors. Sam delighted guests in the Performance Centre foyer when he sang a song with two original cast members from the first College production of the musical in 1995. Sam also plays in the OFA v First IX annual cricket game every year.
Q&A Profile with Sam Coward, (Class of 1996)
Q: What does life look like for you now?
Sam: I’m a Breakfast Radio Announcer for HOT91.1FM, married 18 years to Xanthe, Dad to Poppy (14 years old) and crazy beach volleyballing, reef cleaning, scuba diving-local. Sam can be found most weekend mornings at Mooloolaba with a coffee in hand.
Q: What was your favourite Flinders moment?
Sam: The three musicals I was lucky enough to be in: Little Shop of Horrors, 1995; Dracula Spectacula, 1993; and Godspell, 1996.
Q: Do you have a particular role model or inspirational figure from Flinders or now?
Sam: Brad Bowen. He was head of Thiele, of which I was Captain in 1996, and he was my Chemistry teacher. Then in 2006, 10 years later, he and I attended the same ante-natal class in Buderim…
Q: How easy was it to decide what to do in life?
Sam: It was terrible! I had no idea what I really wanted to do. I studied business and worked in the corporate sector for over 15 years. I have finally found my passion in the entertainment business, which I was always destined for.
Q: Did your further study or career go exactly as you had planned?
Sam: Nope, I changed direction three times. I was always passionate about the entertainment industry but shied away from it because there was no money in it, and I was told it wasn’t a serious profession. But in the end, it was where I was meant to be. Why fight it?
Q: What advice do you have for current students?
Sam: Follow your passion.
If you are an Old Flinderian, we’d love to connect with you. Our College community is here to support all of our Flinders students, past and present. We invite Old Flinderians to share their knowledge and experience with current students in different ways, for example, through mentoring, workshops and guest speaking at retreats and career evenings, and also by connecting professionally with fellow alumni. If this is of interest to you please follow the links to register on Flinders Connect to learn how to connect with Flinders and your classmates.
